Why Is Pakistan Sending Nuclear-Armed Troops to Saudi Arabia?

Pakistan is reported to have sent weapons and thousands of troops to Saudi Arabia following a secret mutual defence pact signed last year. It is understood that 8,000 troops and one squadron of JF-17 fighter jets have been deployed by Pakistan, alongside two squadrons and China-made HQ-0 air defence systems. All weaponry will be operated by Pakistani forces, with Saudi Arabia covering the costs. Secret documents indicate the troop numbers could increase if the situation worsens, potentially allowing for the deployment of warships to the region. “The secret agreement allows for up to 80,000 Pakistani troops to be deployed to Saudi Arabia to help secure the kingdom’s borders alongside Saudi forces,” a government source told Reuters on Sunday, 24 May 2026. The troop deployment began in early April, triggered by Iranian airstrikes on key Saudi energy infrastructure. The attacks killed a Saudi national and sparked global concern, with Riyadh also launching secret retaliatory strikes against Iran. The movement of troops coincided with Pakistan’s role as a key mediator in the Iran conflict, having successfully brokered a ceasefire between the United States and Tehran. The two nations are bound by a secret mutual defence pact, with Saudi Arabia effectively under Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella as a result.